Lawrenceville: Allegheny Arsenal

Explosion Heroines Honored

From an unidentified Pittsburgh newspaper, possibly in 1913.

To Erect Memorial to Women Who Lost Lives in Arsenal. Large
Granite Boulder. Will Be Placed Near Scene of Allegheny Arsenal
Disaster.The unsung heroines of the Civil War, women of that
fatal Magazine
explosion which shook the city on the afternoon of September 17, 1862,
when almost a hundred lost their lives in the Allegheny Arsenal, are at
last to be recognized. These unknown martyrs are to be immortalized by
the erection of a suitable memorial placed near the scene of the fatal
accident.
A large granite boulder from the quarries of Maine, weighing over five
tons, will shortly arrive in this city and will be set in place. A bronze
tablet, the design of which was conceived by the New York artist, Albert
Dreyfus. Over 300 pounds of bronze will be used in casting it, and will
bear the names of the unfortunates with the inscription "Dedicated to the
Heroines of the Civil War."
Congressman James Francis Burke, who was instrumental in securing the
presentation of one of the cannons used in the fatal strife of almost a
half century ago, has succeeded in procuring two more cannons which will
flank the sides of the granite boulder. The first cannon was used for
producing souvenirs, which were sold to defray the expenses of the
monument.

Dedicated on Anniversary.
It has been decided by the committee that the dedication of the monument
will be held on the anniversary of the accident, September 17. Suitable
arrangements will be made for the unveiling, which occasion will be a
holiday for the Lawrenceville district.
The erection of the monument is due to the untiring efforts of Dr. A. J.
Lewin of 3703 Penn Avenue, the secretary of the Arsenal Monument
Association and his band of women, members of the G.A.R. committee, who
are: Mesdames Margaret McGraw, George M. Paisley, Elizabeth Moore, Battie
Lincoln, Lizzie Cargo, Margaret Burns, George Krapp, John M. Brown,
Henrietta Gerwig, Grundmar and Nichelson. Dr. Lewin has also issued a
notice to all those parties who know some of the names of the unfortunates
who were forgotten since that time. It is thought that many more than the
records show were injured and died.

Names on Tablet.
Following is a list of the names of those killed in the arsenal explosion
and which will be placed on the bronze tablet in the large boulder:
[Originally arranged by "unrecognized bodies," "recognized" and
"dangerously burned." Here presented in alphabetical order.]